Green homes in power struggle

Eight suburban streets called Green went into battle yesterday to see which can save the most energy in the coming year.

Draught excluders, insulation and low energy lightbulbs and kettles are among the weapons being deployed from Colton Mains Green in Edinburgh to Green Park Road in Plymouth. Sixty-four households are competing to see how much power, and money, everyday solutions can save.

"We've already learned something useful," said retired teacher Geoff Fawcett, whose three-bedroom house in Green Lane, Cookridge, is one of Leeds' eight entrants. He and his wife Ros, a retired nurse, were spending an average of £42 a month on electricity before the contest started this week. Now it's down to £24.

The proof blinks from one of a set of gizmos installed by British Gas, which is monitoring progress with the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. A monitor wire hooked to the mains supply shows every minute how much power is being used and the effect on the monthly bill.

After a spate of door opening, to admit the environment secretary, Hilary Benn, and chilly February weather, the cost spiralled briefly up, but fell back as the Fawcetts demonstrated their "one-cup" kettle and an energy-efficient boiler whose predecessor was gobbling power after 17 years.

The most-improved street will win £50,000 in energy-saving equipment for local community projects.